Composition for printing or graining



Patented Oct. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT No Drawing. "Application January26, 1931: I

V Serial No 511,434

9 Claims. (c1. 134- 2s) This invention relates to the art of printing and more-particularly to the art of printing or graining certain types of wood to simulate other woods having distinctive appearing grains. A

5 particular object of theinvention is to provide:

a composition and process by which hard or soft, plain textured woods which are relatively inexpensive and plentiful may be printed upon, or grained so as tosimulatemore costly varieties 10 of wood which are in demand because of their definite and characteristic grain. Another object of the invention is to'provide a printing ink or composition for the purpose described having qualities of durability and ease of application,

and which will quickly set and immediately resist smearing or rubbing oif after being applied to the surface for which it is intended. A still fur-v ther object of the present invention is to provide a printing compound and process foruse in printing or marking on either a wet or drybase which may be wood or other materials but which has particular adaptability in printing. upon a wet base. Still another object of the invention is to provide a composition for the purpose described which will be simple and inexpensive to prepare and compound, efiicient in use and which may be preparedand used by unskilled workmen to produce effective results. v i

Other and further objects of the invention will so be apparent from the disclosure in the following specification.

This invention has particular adaptability in the cigar box industry in which wood such as socalled Spanish cedar which has a distinctive aroma and grain has been used extensively for packing good grades of cigars and tobacco. The

tobacco purchasing public has thus through a period of years come to the point of associating thearomi and particularly the grain of Spanish as cedar with high grade tobacco. A demand has thus been created by producers of'tobacco products for wooden containers which, bytheir appearance, will produce the impression that high grade tobacco is packed therein.

1. 5 As Spanish cedar and similar wood is becoming increasingly scarce and less accessible, there is a desire on the part of manufacturers of tobacco products to utilize less expensive woods and yet retain substantially all the sales advantages of 3 the more expensive wood. One manner of accomplishing this result has been to glue extremely thin veneer of Spanish cedar or mahogany to plain textured, inexpensive woods which are more plentiful than are Spanish cedar or mahogany at the present time. Paper has also been printed to imitate the grain of the wood and containers I of ordinary plain ,wood have been covered therewith; w

Another suggested method has been to print or grain the surface of this less expensive plain textured wood with marks or lines so as'to simulate the-grain of I the more desirable varieties. However, many difficulties have been encountered in printing directly on the wood itself, because heretofore it has never been deemed practicable to print on wood until after it has been. dried to about the normal moisture content of kiln dry wood. The reason for this' has beenthatthe graining compounds in use could notgive satisfactory results unless thelumber or wood were dried down to a certain low point of moisture content." If the lumber had an excess of moisture the ink would run and blur and the narrow lines which are most needed to simulate grain could not A be readily obtained because'the ink would spread and smear and instead of lines there would .be more or less blurry markings. I thas' also been found that the surface of the wood to be treated becomes hardand 'dense'when the moisture is removed, and, in knife-cut lumber particularly, portions ofthe' surfacehaving' a softer texture and greater moisture absorption capacity collapse inthe drying process more than the portions of lesser absorption capacityregardless' of how mechanically true and perfect the surface may have been when out from the wet or green logs or. flitches. Because of this harderchara'cter after drying muchlwear and tear is caused to the printing machinery, especially to the impressionmeans such as printing rolls or the like. Inaddition, it is diflicult and nearly impossible to obtain a uniform application of the graining ink todry, unfinished lumber because of the irregularities of the surface arising during the'drying; and even when the board has been surfaced there yet remains a certain amount of'warp or twist, as well as considerable rigidity, in the lumber, which causes damage to, the-machinery involved inthe printing operation. For these reasons the production of printed lumber or boards has always been 100.

amore or less slow, uncertainand cumbersome operation, and the costhas therefore been too great to warrant production 'on a substantial scale. 'When the printing'composition of the present invention is used the particular amount of mois-, ture contained in the impression receivingbase;

is not material even when this moisture content reachesits .upper levels. This findsparticular application in the caseof theutilization 01" rotary M0 cutlumber or so-called veneer stock due to the fact that the logs are always impregnated with considerable moisture before going to the lathe or other device on which the lumber is cut. This moisture content may vary considerably depending upon whether a given piece of lumber has been cut from the log near its outer'surface or near the center. It has been found thatthe weight of the sap wood, that is, the wood adjacent the outside of the log, with the moisture therein, is frequently 75% to 100% greater than the bone dry weight of this portion of the log but this percentage may decrease considerably toward the center. For example, one species of gum has been found to vary from 118% moisture in the sap wood to 82% moisture near the heart for a sixteen inch diameter log which has been immersed for several hours in a bath of hot water. The compound of the present invention finds particularly advantageous use, compared, with printing compounds heretofore known, in operating on freshly cut, so-called veneer lumber having a moisture content in excess of 20%. The present invention, however','is not confined in its use to wet lumber, but

' gives very desirable results on lumber of ordinary commercial dryness and kiln dried lumber. By the terms fiwet wood 'or wet, lumber as used herein any lumber having a moisture con tent in excess of that present'in airdr'y lumber is to be understood. The present compound is applicable to lumber in any of its'forms, although it is usually' applied to thinner cut boards which may be produced either bysawing, slicing or 1 rotary cutting.

In preparing the printing compound, it is desirable to employ a carrying vehicle such, for 'example, as a starchy substance which maybe prepared with water to assume a thick consistency as by means of cooking, Corn starch is very well adapted for the purpose since it is comparatively inexpensive and easily available and is simple to prepare for the. present purpose} Any. other starch such as potato or tapiocalfiou'r orthe like can be used.

taining substance may be employed for this purpose. It is of particular note in this connection that apparently the interaction between the glycerine and acetic acid is an important factor in giving to the compound. its good adhering properties, particularly when applied to wet lumber,

since these ingredients combine to forms; water resistant compound which serves to retain the ink upon the wood fibers regardless of the mois ture that may be present in the Wed.

It has beenfound in practice, where lumber fresh from tlie'cutter'or slicer is grained, that the temperature of the lumber will govern to a great extent the desirable proportion of 'glycer-z .ine to acetic aeidc In the usual method ofpreparing logs for slicing or rotary cutting, they are first subjected to the ordinary-steaming process or to a water bath which is controlled to maintain a temperatureranging from in the less. The steaming process or water bath renders the wood soft and water-soaked to a degree varying with the texture or density of the particular variety of wood subjected to a given length of treatment. This facilitates cutting the sheets or slabs of lumber from the log or flitch with a minimum of tearing of the fibrous structure. Lumber treated in this way still retains a temperature of about 150 F., more or less, upon leaving the lathe or slicer, the temperature vary- .ing according to the cooling effects of the prevailing atmospheric conditions.

In carrying out the process it has been found that when the'temperature of the wet material operated upon is at about ordinary room temperature fairly good results can be obtained Where the glycerine content of the compound is present in the proportion of about one part of glycerine to about eight parts vinegar. However, if the lumber is to be treated fairly soon after leaving the cutter and whilehaving a temperature considerably above ordinary room temperature, it has been discovered that more dependable results, are obtained with a glycerine content of about one part of glycerine to six or seven parts'of vinegar;but if the conditions are such that it is desirable to grain the lumber almost immediately after leaving the cutter and before it has had time to cool, and especially during warm weather, a higher glycerine content should be used to avoid spreading or whiskering of the grain or other design. In fact, when graining warm wood direct'from the cutter, a quantity of glycerine in about the proportion of one to four parts vinegar has been found very satisfactory. Itis apparent, therefore, that a glycerine contentwithin a range of one in about four to eight parts vinegar will prove suitable under a variety of particular conditions. However, I do not wish to belimited to these exact proportions since it has been determined-that the glycerine content may bejsomewhat ,varied above and below the proportions given depending upon various factors such as moisture and temperature. Itmay be noted, however, that when the glycerine content is raised much above one part to four parts of vinegar the composition is likely to become gummy and sticky and has a tendency to smear when applied.

"When the ingredients mentioned have been mixed together, it has been found desirable to cook the mass until it has reached a suitable thickness or viscosity. After the composition has cooled, preferably to about atmospheric temperature, it is ready for use.

The following example will illustrate a preferred form of the present embodiment of the invention;

Parts by v weight Starch about Coloring matter (aniline colors) about 15 Glycerine about 816 Cider vinegar (4% acetic acid) about 64 Water about 450 A graining compoundor ink'prepared as above described and in the proportions given has proved very effective in practice and particularly when woods of softer texture are grained, either dry or wet.

In the above example the starch may be varied between 9 0 and 100 parts with relation to the rest of the mixture or in certain cases other suitable fillersmay replace part of the starch. The amount of vinegar may be varied between 60 and lid .ture of the atmosphere.

.70 parts. The amount of coloringmatter used results that are desired. .Water soluble aniline colors have been found very desirable in carrying out the present invention. Generally speaking,

the amountof color may be varied withinvery wide limits depending upon what particular type of coloring matter is used-as well as the effect desired to be obtained. The variation of the glycerine and vinegar with relation to each other has previously been discussed in some detail. The amount of water may be varied within certain limits depending upon the purity andmoisture content of the other ingredients. For example, if pure acetic acid is employed then more water will be necessary, but if a vinegar having an acetic acid content-of less than about 4% is used and consequently more of this ingredient is necessary, then a proportionally smaller amount of Water will be needed. Atmospheric conditions also affect the amount of water re- 1 quired. In any event, the amount of water should be such as to give the mass a jelly-like consistency after it has been prepared by cooking as above stated and allowed to cool.

After it has been prepared by cooking as above stated, the mixture is preferably allowed to stand in a comparatively large vessel so that it will cool slowly. This tends to cure the mass and gives it the proper consistency for efficient application. The preferred time for cooling has generally been found to be about 15 hours where the ink is applied by the roller type of printing mechanism.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the com-. position may be varied within certain limits to be effective under a varying range of conditions both of the moisture and temperature of the lumber and the general conditions and tempera- The composition is one that can be readily made up without requiring a large amount of skill on the part of theoperative,

While the composition of the above described formula gives entirely satisfactory results for moderate speeds and when the lumber is of substantially uniform and comparatively soft texture, nevertheless it has been found that where a considerable range of extreme conditions is present in the lumber or other impression receiving material the inclusion of additional ingredients, with the composition heretofore described, insures obtaining satisfactory results under these extreme conditions. This is true where any one or more of a combination of conditions prevail, for example, where the atmosphere iswarm and humid and the lumber comes to the printing mechanism at a temperature not much reduced from the temperature at which it leaves the severing mechanism, or the wood is of comparatively hard texture or the printing mechanism is running at acomparatively high speed with the wood of relatively high moisture content. To this end it has been developed thatif certainalbuminous substances such, for example, asblood albumin in its various forms or other proteids or albumins are mixed with the above described product and properly controlled so as to time the setting qualities of the resulting composition at theproper point of application of the ink, it is rendered still more eflicient and certain without danger of blurring or whiskering in spite of relatively high temperatures and speeds, or mois-- ture content of the material operated upon.

Furthermore, by the addition of suchalbuminous substancesv the setting of the ink is. accelerated and the color tone and durability of the finish areimproved.

It is a'well-known fact that blood albumin-has the property of coagulating and forming a waterinsoluble substance when subjected to heat. It is alsoa known fact that certain chemicals such as paraformaldehyde will act upon blood albumin in a cold liquid medium to cause it to congeal'and set, without the application of heat, to form a fairly water-resistant compound.

While paraformaldehyde is capable of reacting with the blood albumin to cause it to coagulate and form a tough, water resistant coating, it has been found necessary to employ an alkaline substance which will retard the action of the paraformaldehyde as long as the mixture is maintained in relatively large masses and which will lose its effect upon the paraformaldehyde, either by evaporation or by combination, when the comliquid medium until it can be stirred to an even consistency. Thereupon the retarding agent and coagulant are stirred into the albumin mixture. The addition of a small amount'of salt is often desirable in the composition as a preservative,

is danger of the organic matter putrifyingon account of its standing for some time prior to-use. However, the salt most-beneficial when aniline colors are employed because it enhances both the brightness and setting of the colors.v The use of this latter ingredient is optional, ofcourse, and may be omitted without deleterious effects. if

desired. i i I n The blood albumin portion is preferably made up of the following ingredientsinabout the followingproportions by; weight: Y

particularly where the climate is such that there I a I -Parts Blood albumin (light or'dark) about .30 Ammoniumhydroxide (Sp. G. 0.90)- about l Paraformaldehyde about 4 Water"; about 37 Sodium chloride about 8 composition is. separately prepared 'and then added by agitation to a batch of the color carry- I ing compound which may be made up as pre-Y viously outlined. The resultant mixture takes on a jelly-like form when fully prepared and may be kept for many hours prior to use by in the compound as a result of adding the albumin ventional means.

composition may be describedas-follows. The two batches of ingredients, after being prepared separately, are mixed together after the first mixturev described hereinhas been allowed to cool and become properly cured. The first batch retains substantially the acid characteristics imparted to it by the acetic acid and color and the albumin batch retains the alkalinity characteristic of its components. On mixing the two batches together there is no doubt a reaction initiated between the acetic acid'and the ammonium hydroxide but this interaction is apparently retarded to a large extent by the viscosity of the agglomerate due largely to the starch. In any event, it appears that sufficient alkalinity is retained in those-parts of the mixture containing the paraformaldehyde so as to leave sufficient ammonium hydroxide toiefiectively retard or inhibit any action by the paraformaldehyde on the blood albumin for eighteen or more hours after the two batches have been mixed together. However, when the prepared ink is spread in a thin film on the impression receiving base, which is generally somewhat acid, the ammonium hydroxide is dissipated, either due to theac'idity of the base or because the additional moisture with which the film comes in contact on the impression receiving surface enables a more intimate contact of this alkaline'substance and the acid of'the composition; or the ammonia. which is v'ol' atile may 'be almost instantly. evaporated because of the thinness of the filn and the heat of the base. Nevertheless, uponapplication of the ink there appearsto be"a-n'immediate action of the paraformaldehyde upon the blood albumin to set'it and, together with the other" ingredients causing the formation of a clear, permanent impression of the desired design.

A graining composition produced in accordance with'the present disclosure-lendsitself admirably to rapid quantity production of artificially grained lumber to simulate Spanish cedar, mahogany or the like. be used to reproduce advertising designs or 'wording upon wooden panels used for various purposes such as shippingv cases or boxes and the like in a similar manner to that described for the graining.v operation. The desired design, whether a grain, advertising matter. or other markings, may be printed or impressed upon the receiving surface by means of impression mechanism of any suitable character. and having suitable impression means such asthe recessed cylindrical printing roll or other more or less con- In operation this impression applying mechanism maybe "operated as close to the point at which the lumber is cut from the log'a s is practical; and the graining may be carried on as rapidly as it is physically possible to handle the output. The ink sets so rapidly after application that there is no staining of the superimposed unprinted surface of the lumber as it is stacked in coming off the press prior to removal to the, dryer.

It has been found in practice that the use of: lumber having a considerable moisture content.

when applying the graining composition of the present invention has many advantages, Outstanding among these advantages is the fact that the surface'presented to the printing rolls or other impression means is as true and smooth as when the'material leaves the cutting mechanism because the plane of the surface has not been varied by reason of collapsing of the less dense portions of the wood which ordinarily occurs- This composition may also" as a result of drying, as has been heretofore explained. Furthermore, since the Woodfibers are more resilient and pliable due to their watersoaked'condition, the wet lumber will cause a minimum of wear and tear to the printing rolls or machinery. Another great advantage of this process lies in the fact that one drying operation suflices both for drying out the veneer as well as for completing the drying and setting of the graining ink.

, Excellent results have been obtained by using such plain woods as red gum, tupelo, cottonwood, magnolia, black gum, poplar, basswood and lynn for the base upon which to apply the graining effect. However, there are other woods which may be used with equally favorable results.

While the invention is particularly applicable to printing onwood it is not to be considered as entirely limited thereto as it can be applied to advantage for printing on other substances, especially when they have a moisture content substan'tially above normal.

While the present description sets forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, numerous changes maybe made in the process and compound without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is, therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to'the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A printing compound adapted for application to wet lumber comprising a suitable starch and water mixture to provide a pasty base, mixed together with water-soluble aniline color, glycerine and vinegar, the starch, glycerine and vinegar being present in the mixture in approximately the following quantities:

Parts by weight Starch 90 to 100 Glycerine 8 to 16 Vinegar 60 to 2. A composition adapted for use in simulating the grain of desirable woods which comprises starch, glycerine, coloring matter, acetic acid, blood'albumin, ammonium hydroxide and paraformaldehyde.

3.-A graining composition comprising in one part starch, glycerine and acetic acid and comprising in another part blood albumin, ammonium hydroxide/and paraformaldehyde, said parts being separately prepared and said second men tioned part'being commingled in said composition by agitation.

4. A graining composition comprising in one part a relatively cool mixture of starch, glycerine, coloring matter and acetic acid, and comprising in another part blood albumin, salt, ammonium hydroxide and paraformaldehyde, said parts being separately prepared and said last mentioned part being commingled in said composition by agitation.

5.1 A composition or ink adapted for application to freshly cut wet lumber to form distinctive markings thereon and comprising in one part starch, coloring matter, glycerine, vinegar and water brought to a thick consistency by cooking and L.

starch, 8 to 16 parts glycerine, 60 to 70 parts vinegar, 30 parts-blood albumin, 1 to 2 parts ammonium hydroxide, and 4 to 5 parts paraformaldehyde.

7. A composition adapted for printing upon a hot impression receiving base of considerable moisture content and somewhat acidic reaction, consisting of two commingled parts, one part comprising pigment carried in a thick mass of cooked starch, acetic acid and glycerine, and a second part comprising blood albumin, paraformaldehyde as a congealing agent for said blood albumin and ammonium hydroxide as a retarding agent to substantially prevent action of said congealing agent on said blood albumin while the same are in a mass, said ammonium hydroxide becoming dissipated upon application of the composition to the impression receiving base whereupon the paraformaldehyde immediately acts upon the albumin to congeal it and form a water-resistant compound.

8. A composition for printing on a wet base comprising coloring matter, a water resistant compound comprising a mixture of vinegar and glycerine, an additional water resistant compound comprising blood albumin and suflicient paraformaldehyde to congeal the blood albumin, anda quantity of ammonium hydroxide sufiicient to inhibit the action of the paraformaldehyde for a substantial length of time, all of said ingredients being mixed and intermingled with a starchy base of jelly-like consistency whereby dissipation of the volatile portions of the ammonium hydroxide will be retarded until a film of the compound is deposited onthe wet base.

9. In a printing composition, a water resistant compound comprising a mixture of vinegar and glycerine, an additional water resistant compound comprising blood albumin and sufiicient paraformaldehyde to congeal the blood albumin, and a quantity of ammonium hydroxide suflicient to inhibit the action of the paraformaldehyde for a substantial length of time, all of said ingredients being mixed and intermingled with a starchy base of jelly-like consistency whereby the dissipation of the volatile portions of the ammonium hydroxide will be retarded for any unexposed aggregate of the mixture until said aggregate has been exposed to the atmosphere.

LOGAN A. MIZENER. 

